Earth Day starts early
Recycle Derby, demonstrations, speeches mark weekend events

By Jane Andrews
(Created: Monday, April 21, 2008 11:23 AM EDT)

UNITY — The winner of the Earth Day Recycle Derby drove a four-wheel homemade bicycle with a toilet for a seat and a look of grim determination on her face as she shot over the finish line into the hay bales.

The four-wheel bike with toilet seat won the Recycle Derby at Unity College on Saturday with Lauren Ferguson, a senior from Johnston, R.I., in the driver’s seat. The race was part of Earth Day festivities. JANE ANDREWS

Lauren Ferguson won the derby at Unity College in one of the weekend events offered around the area to begin the celebration of Earth Day, which is technically April 22.

Events ranged from demonstrations on composting, recycling and a sustainable fuel car show at Unity College to UMaine Orono’s HOPE (Help Organize Peace Earthwide) Festival, which included a Green Expo. Earth Day for College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor offered speakers, workshops and a music festival April 19. In Rockport, speakers and presenters at a Green Fair at Plants Unlimited gave advice and demonstrations.

At Unity College, students drove vehicles made of recycled materials down a hill and around a curve, where some crashed.

Clayton Kern, a Unity College senior from York, Pa., steers in the bow as part of the team Canoe Racer Extraordinaire while other students push the Recycle Derby entrant over the starting line on Saturday. The event was one of several at Earth Day. JANE ANDREWS

The Student Activities Office staff and students created the vehicle Ferguson drove from four old bike wheels, handlebars, particle board and a toilet for a seat.

Asked how she won, Ferguson reflected for a moment.

Two students who think alike hang on in the “twin-mobile” as they get a push from Clayton Kern at Unity College’s Recycle Derby, held in conjunction with Earth Day. Students Andy Hein and Tori Arnold served as “twins.” JANE ANDREWS

“I just steer and hold on,” said the senior from Johnston, R.I., who shot down the course in 20.75 seconds.

There were only three vehicles, with several different crews competing against each other.

A canoe mounted on two bicycle wheels under the bow and roller blades under the stern came in second with Jake Harr and Peter Knipper at the helm and brakes.

Third plan finishers Ashley Zook and Clayton Kern also drove the canoe.

Trailing was a children’s Red Flyer wagon with two tightly packed students — Andy Hein and Tori Arnold — in the “twin-mobile.” One steered and the other operated an anchor device for a brake.

Each vehicle had to have steering and braking systems to qualify.

Now and then a vehicle tipped over en route. When the front brakes broke off on one side of the canoe, a student tore the brakes off the other side and threw them on the lawn. He pushed off, telling the starter that the rear brakes were still good.

There were no uniforms, but helmets were popular.

Clayton Kern wore a German military camoflage jumpsuit and bare feet. Two contestants used tennis rackets to protect head and neck, shoving the handles down the backs of their shirts.

Unity College combined the Recycle Fest with Earth Day and brought in musicians and food vendors.

Students gave demonstrations and taught others to shear sheep or to find out what they need to know to convert their car to burning waste vegetable oil.

Unity College planned a week of activities in advance, inviting the bluegrass classic rock band The Nectaroons, and Gristlestick from Farmington, to perform.

Students also joined Unity Elementary School students, who are growing vegetables for the school lunch program and will donate to Unity Area Food Pantry.

“We wanted to organize a day that would bring not only the Unity College community together, but welcome the greater Unity community to our campus for a day of education and fun,” said Chris McGrath, who initiated events with fellow student Justin Blouin.